JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First Coast News is proud to share the Stories of Service of the brave men and women who wear the uniforms of our Armed Forces.
In this week's Stories of Service, we're in a celebratory and reflective mood as we say congratulations to a soon-to-be veteran on a great career.
Samuel Cole grew up on the Northside of Jacksonville and went to First Coast High School, a school with a proud tradition of JROTC.
"I was a bit of a surfer punk in high school, didn't have time for that stuff," said Cole, who had plenty of military influences in his life. "My uncles, all of them are veterans themselves. Most of them served in Vietnam at the same time in different branches. We had them all covered - Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, and they were all influential in my upbringing, very patriotic family."
Cole enlisted in the Air Force, a uniform he was proud to wear for 30 years on his way to becoming a chief master sergeant.
"It means the world," Cole told First Coast News. "In fact, I've said several times over my career, 'If I could have done it and figured out how to make a living some other way, I would have done it for free.'"
Being a paid member of the Air Force ends for the father of three next week when he officially retires on Sunday, Sept. 1.
Thirty years after entering basic training, Cole has a message for that "surfer punk" of his younger self.
"Take notes, don't blink, 30 years goes by faster than you could imagine," said Cole.
Cole spent a majority of his 30 years in the Air Force managing and leading teams. He said he hopes to continue to be a positive influence and mentor others in the future.
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